variants
also skunk
as in dogs
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
he's nothing but a dirty, rotten skunk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in bombs
to defeat by a large margin
we ended up skunking them, as our goalie was able to prevent the other team from scoring a single goal
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in masters
to achieve a victory over
our football team consistently skunks our traditional rivals Thanksgiving after Thanksgiving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stings
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
unwilling to let suppliers skunk him, the restaurant owner inspected every shipment before signing off on it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of skunks
Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
Some owls will hunt the wildlife that raids our garbage cans, like skunks and opossums.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
The virus has also proved fatal to foxes and skunks in Kansas that likely ate something infected, Hesting said.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 17 Dec. 2025
In this case, hospital staff who treated the Idaho man were initially unaware of the skunk scratch and attributed his symptoms to chronic comorbidities.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 11 Dec. 2025
Further research into the donor's medical history learned that the donor had received a scratch from a skunk in October 2024.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025
Further investigation revealed that the donor had become infected with the fatal virus after saving a kitten from a skunk.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
The menu can include everything from skunks and javelina to small deer.
—Susan Montoya Bryan, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2025
The skunk appears to have gotten rabies from a bat.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 4 Dec. 2025
Noun
Thiols are responsible for the distinctive aromas of skunk spray and ripe durian; they’re also added to natural gas to provide a detectable rotten-egg smell at even trace levels.
—Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
Some owls will hunt the wildlife that raids our garbage cans, like skunks and opossums.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
The virus has also proved fatal to foxes and skunks in Kansas that likely ate something infected, Hesting said.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 17 Dec. 2025
In this case, hospital staff who treated the Idaho man were initially unaware of the skunk scratch and attributed his symptoms to chronic comorbidities.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 11 Dec. 2025
Further research into the donor's medical history learned that the donor had received a scratch from a skunk in October 2024.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025
Further investigation revealed that the donor had become infected with the fatal virus after saving a kitten from a skunk.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
The menu can include everything from skunks and javelina to small deer.
—Susan Montoya Bryan, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2025
The skunk appears to have gotten rabies from a bat.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 4 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skunks
Noun
-
For the fourth year in a row, Petco Love brought adoptable dogs to the awards.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Children and dogs are always free.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
If Venezuela and its region instead spiral into chaos and suffering, Trump will merely look like a bully, a president who cowers when facing the mighty — in Moscow or Beijing, say — but bombs those who can’t return fire, whether in Nigeria, Yemen or Venezuela.—
Andreas Kluth,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Above, South Lake Tahoe ripper Emma Dayberry bombs through Kirkwood’s fabled Finger chutes, a quick traverse off of the Cornice Express six-pack chairlift.—
Drew Zieff,
Outside,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Stylist Chrissy Rasmussen masters the layered medium-length look on clients.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
20 Dec. 2025
-
Bette Davis masters a rare light comedy turn as Sherry's long-suffering secretary, with Jimmy Durante as a visitor from Broadway and Wizard of Oz (1939) good witch Billie Burke as the overwhelmed matriarch of the Stanley clan.—
Gwen Ihnat,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
January 20 – February 18 When pride stings, compassion clears the air.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Smith’s squad finished fourth in the Eastern Conference last season with 59 points before falling to New York City FC in the opening round, a defeat that still stings months later.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Or whips around his defender in a bold pirouette.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Marty whips off his sport coat and throws it in the crowd.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Richard Raffalow Valley Glen Navy defeats Cincinnati 35-13 in the Liberty Bowl and is ranked 22 in the latest AP poll.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Narrow defeats to a rejuvenated Milan and reigning champions Napoli were far easier to swallow, and a victory in Sardinia would have seen Roma stay within a point of the leading duo.—
Jack Bantock,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Blashill wants the Blackhawks to be a fast-pressure team at both ends of the rink, one that attacks vertically but never cheats for offense.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
These mercenary-force ICE clowns are traitors to the country and the Constitution.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Brewer depicts the world of music impersonators with a fair amount of affection, like the rodeo clowns of late 20th-century America.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skunks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skunks. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
